KnightWhoSaysNi

Biblical criticism and archaeology are not really my specialty and that's why I rarely ever post in this particular forum. But I do know some basics, having read stuff like McDowell's More than a Carpenter, Dan Barker's book Losing Faith in Faith, a few articles from the Skeptical Review, and a religious studies course I took a long time ago.

My question is, who do you think are the most reliable and articulate skeptics out there when it comes to arguments regarding Jesus's historicity or the resurrection, prophecy fulfillment, Biblical errancy, OT history, OT atrocities, etc...? After all, skeptics are only human and can be susceptible to groupthink, biases, logical fallacies, just like apologists can be.

I think some of the best skeptics would have these attributes:

- they not only know the Bible well, but they are well read and familiar with scholarly works in Bible commentary, theology, hermeneutics, historiographic analysis, biblical archaeology, and works on the political, social, economic, and cultural contexts of the various biblical texts

- they do not rely heavily on ad hominems and sophistry to get an argument across

- they are familiar with works from a variety of perspectives, discipines, and worldviews (e.g. conservative, liberal, skeptical, apologetics, Jewish, historical, anthropological, sociological, etc...)

- they are willing to admit and disclose mistakes and fallacies when called upon it and to apologize when he/she makes a serious error or unfair ad hominem

- they can be just as critical with fellow skeptics, when they make errors or fallacies, as they are with apologists

Who might fit these attributes the best? Who are the best skeptics out there? When I do some future reading, I'd like some recommendations on who are the most reliable ones so that I'm less likely to be misled. Personally, I think people like Robert Price, Richard Carrier, and Jeff Lowder fit in this category. Any suggestions who else is best or perhaps what critics are less reliable?

Korihor (formerly, 'Nightshade')

Evangelion

I am not familiar with Price and Lowder, but I agree with you that Carrier is one of the better skeptical critics out there.

I also have considerable respect for Farrel Till.

Vinnie

From what i've read I've always liked Lowder.

Vinnie

Peter Kirby

Michael Goulder, Robin Lane Fox, and Stevan Davies. There are others I might mention but whose theological views aren't known to me.

best,
Peter Kirby

Vorkosigan

Let me add Burton Mack and Robert Price and Randel Helms....

malookiemaloo

While we're on the subject, who is reckoned to be the best Christian apologetic around? I know of William Lane Craig but's that's about it.


m

CX

If you go searching for bible "skeptics" that is precisely what you will find. If you are interested in real biblical scholarship you would be well advised to seek out bible scholars. Some of them (perhaps most) are Xian but that doesn't a priori invalidate their scholarship. Here's my short list:

Israel Finkelstein
Elaine Pagels
Udo Schnelle
Burton Mack
Michael Goulder
John Dominic Crossan
Bruce Metzger
Kurt Aland
Raymond Brown

keyser_soze

Elaine pagels rocks! I just finished "origins of satan", and it was excellent. Good enough that I just found all the rest of her books and purchased them.

Peter Kirby

I deleted several posts to get this thread back on track. Questions and comments concerning this should be directed to "Bugs, Problems & Complaints."

thanks,
Peter Kirby

Vorkosigan

Shimmy down from thy towering steed, CX. The poster was apparently only referring to real Bible scholars whose position tends to the disbelieving. Are there people listed so far who are not "real" Bible scholars?

Vorkosigan